How to Measure for Custom Dancewear

Be prepared for your next measurement! In this video, we’ll walk you through how to measure (or be measured) for a custom dance costume or uniform.

The Measurements

When creating custom dance costumes, we take four main measurements:

Bust. We measure the largest part of the dancer’s bust, making a circle around their chest.

Waist. This measurement uses the narrowest part of the dancer’s waist, near the bottom of their ribs.

Hips. This measurement isn’t actually taken at the dancer’s hip bones. Instead, we measure the fullest part of their bottom.

Girth. This is the circle of the dancer’s body, measuring from their crotch to their shoulder and back around.

If a dancer’s design includes pants, we’ll also measure their inseam, starting at the top of their thigh and measuring down to the floor.

And that’s it! To make sure you get the best possible measurements, DON’T let dancers wear baggy clothes to their measuring session. Instead, have them wear tight-fitting clothes that will let you take accurate measurements.

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“We have had so many wonderful compliments and made it in the top division for nationals with that routine! It was an amazing process to have you guys help with. Easy and the final result was exactly what we wanted! Can’t wait for next year!”

Sweet Liberty Dance TeamBoise, Idaho

Centerville Middle School Majorettes

“We got the costumes yesterday and they LOVE them so much! Thank you for everything you did to get them to us! “

Huntley High SchoolJV Dance Team

“I just wanted to share a photo from our team pictures last weekend showing off our new uniforms! We love them! We had no problems fitting the team into the uniforms and they are very well made. Thank you again for your cooperation and design into making these uniforms perfect for our team! We are excited to create new twirling memories and perform in these amazing uniforms!

Thank you!!”

Buckeye Twirl Club Team

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for our wonderful costume. You always deliver well made, well thought out costumes and they not only hold up but show very well. We just completed out first comp and our Mary Poppins looked amazing. Thank you so much.”

MichelleProduction Sales Design Consultant

“I would for sure want to work with you again. When I contacted you initially, it was actually because our longtime costume designer had been involved in the Sonoma/Napa fires and she was unable to do our costumes this season (hence my need to get my order in as quickly as possible). But we were extremely lucky to find your company-and just in time! Our regular costume designer has since decided to retire. So going forward, I would definitely like to work with DA Designs again. I would also like to have a better idea of the timeline for next season-as far as figuring out when the ideal time is to place an order, etc.”